Sheet stack handling method

ABSTRACT

Sheet stack handling method wherein sheets are formed into a stack and are secured in the stack which is presented at a delivery station from which the stack is moved onto a pallet. The stack can roll down to a final position on the pallet, and rows of stacks can roll onto the pallet. The pallet is supported by means which permit the pallet to shift laterally of the rows, so that additional rows of stacks can be placed on the pallet, and the shifting is also done under gravity by having a slight declining angle for the pallet shifting. Control mechanism is associated with the pallet and includes a detector for sensing the stacks on the pallet, and it includes a releasable stop for permitting the pallet to shift when the row of stacks is complete. Thus the stacks are loaded onto a pallet and are then moved with the pallet to a distribution station where the stacks are unloaded, and the loading and unloading are both done under the influence of gravity by having the stacks roll on a decline and by having the pallet roll on a decline in the lateral shifting, as mentioned, and the stacks can then be moved or rolled to the feeding stations, and a switching mechanism is used for distributing the stacks from the distribution point into the selected feeding stations.

United States Patent i 1 Stobb SHEET STACK HANDLING METHOD [75]Inventor: Anton R. Slobb. Pittstown. NJ.

[73} Assignee: Stobb. lnc., Clinton N].

[22] Filed: Aug. 1. 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 493,671

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 409 733, Oct.25. W73, Pat No.

Primary E.\umiiierRobert J. Spar Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J OreskyAttorney, Agcn! or Firm-Arthur J. Hansmann Apr. 29, 1975 [57] ABSTRACTSheet stack handling method wherein sheets are formed into a stack andare secured in the stack which is presented at a delivery station fromwhich the stack is moved onto a pallet. The stack can roll down to afinal position on the pallet. and rows of stacks can roll onto thepallet. The pallet is supported by means which permit the pallet toshift laterally of the rows, so that additional rows of stacks can beplaced on the pallet, and the shifting is also done under gravity byhaving a slight declining angle for the pallet shifting. Controlmechanism is associated with the pallet and includes a detector forsensing the stacks on the pallet. and it includes a releasable stop forpermitting the pallet to shift when the row of stacks is completev Thusthe stacks are loaded onto a pallet and are then moved with the palletto a distribution station where the stacks are unloaded and the loadingand unloading are both done under the influence of gravity by having thestacks roll on a decline and by having the pallet roll on a decline inthe lateral shifting. as mentioned and the stacks can then be moved orrolled to the feeding stations. and a switching mechanism is used fordistributing the stacks from the distribution point into the selectedfeeding stations.

4 Claims ll Drawing Figures PHENTEDAPRZSEYEI SHEEI 10F 53 zzzzrzzizglllln'lllil PMENTEDAPRZSIBYS SHEEI t 0F 5 x w w v 4 1 0w g UP": 7 u m mm m "J m s u u m SHEET STACK HANDLING METHOD This application is adivision of US. Pat. Application Ser. No. 409.733. tiled Oct. 25. 1973.now LES. Pat. No. 3.853.234 issued Dec. Ill. 1974.

This invention relates to a sheet stack handling method. and. moreparticularly. it relates to a method for handling sheets coming from aprinting press and/or folder and which forms the sheets into stacks andthe stacks are then individually secured and are transported to a feedermechanism which distributes the sheets individually off their stacks asthe sheets are positioned or collated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the printing and book and magazinemanufactur ing industry. the concern and problem is to take the printedsheets and collect them in stacks and to ultimately distribute thesheets in a manner where they can be formed into a magazine or a book orthe like. The concern and problem in this regard is to rapidly collectthe sheets in a stack form. to transport the sheets to a feeding stationand to then take the sheets in single manner and collate theme to formthe book or magazine. One example of stacking and forming sheets intodiscrete stacks and piles is shown in my US. Pat. No. 2.933.314. andthis patent is included in this present disclosure by this referencesince the showing in the patent is background for the disclosure herein.such as shown in FIG. I of the present application. As furtherbackground and disclosure supplementary to and similar to that in thepresent application is found in my L'.S. Pat. No. 3.739.924 which showsthe formation of sheets into stacks and the clamping of the sheets bymeans of a clamp having wheels thereon. and that patent also shows thetransportation of a plurality of stacks and the ultimate distribution ofthe sheets from the stacks after the stacks are positioned on a feederdevice.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved sheetstack handling apparatus and method wherein the sheets can be taken fromtheir stack form at the folder or the like and are subjected to anautomated type of handling wherein the stacks are first collected ingroups of stacks and are then tranported to a distribution station wherethey are distributed to various feeding devices which take the sheetsoff the stacks. In accomplishing this object. the purpose is to provideapparatus and a method wherein the sheets can be conveniently andefficiently handled in their stack form and the stacks can betransported throughout the plant to the distribution location and thefeeding devices. as needed and desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide stack handling apparatuswherein the stacks are automati cally collected in rows of stacks andwherein the stacks are secured in their rows when they are beingtransported from a collection or delivery station to a distributionstation. and in both instances the stacks are mobilized and are movedwith only a minimum of power and equipment required. Further. thepresent invention includes the improvement of the method for handlingthe stacks from the point of collecting them instack form and to thepoint of feeding them to the collating equipment. In accomplishing theseobjectives. there is only minimum of apparatus or equipment required.and this includes powered equipment. and the stacks themselves aresimply contained on sets of wheels and are moved by rolling under theinfluence of gravity as the direction of rolling and the influence forthe rolling is on a declining angle and thus no power equipment isrequired for positioning the stacks in groups of rows of stacks and alsofor distributing the stacks from those rows.

In considering the aforementioned problems and objectives. it will ofcourse be understood that a printing plant commonly contains theprinting press and the paper folder equipment in one plant or locationon the general plant site. and the collating equipment. such as thefeeding device. is generally located in another area remote from theprinting press and the folder equipment. The concern and problem ofcourse is to transport the stacks of sheets between the two areasmentioned. and this present invention accomplishes with a minimum ofapparatus and especially powered equip ment. and with a method which isan improvement over that heretofore employed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of aportion of the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an end clevational view of stacks on a pallet. and showing anupper deck of the same in dotted position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a slightly enlarged end view of certain apparatus and showinga stack on one row of the pallet.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a portion ofthe apparatus shown in FIGS. land 4 and showing one row of stacks and the detector equipment.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and5. and being partly in sections along the pallet and showing one row ofstacks thereon.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the equipment with the stacks andat the distribution station.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top plan view of the distribution station and theswitching apparatus and the feeder stations.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the switching apparatus used at thedistribution section and as shown in FIG. 9 and being a portion thereof.

FIG. ll is a side elevational view of the delivery device and showingthe stacks related thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE METHOD Thedrawings show a folder device 10 which presents a stack of sheets I] andon which a clamp or other retaining means 12 can be placed for holdingthe sheets in one discrete stack 11. The delivery device II) can be astructure such as that shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 2.933.314. and anoperator would place the clamp or retaining means [2 on the stack. andthe clamp 12 also has the wheels 13 thereon. so the stack is providedwith wheels and is therefore mobile. This arrangement may be like thatshown in my US. Pat. No. 3.739.924.

The device 10 has a delivery station at and generally designated 14, andthe stacks are moved from the solid line position shown in FIG. I and upto the dot-dash line position shown. by having an operator tip thestacks to the upright dot-dash line position. as indicated. Themobilized stacks can then roll on the wheels I3 and onto a pallet I6.and the stacks are collected on the pallet I6 in rows of three stacks ineach of three rows. as shown in FIGS. I and 2.

The pallet I6 is thus provided with three trackways designated 17. andthese trackways are shown to be depressed areas in the pallet I6. andthe trackways can individually align with the delivery station 14 wherethe stacks are initially rolled onto a support or guide I8 to have thestacks roll along the trackway I7 which is then aligned with thedelivery station 14. The pallet I6 is disposed at a declining angle.such that the pallet end des ignated I9 is slightly higher than thepallet end desig nated 2]. and the difference in elevation between thetwo ends is determined by a l /z slope on the pallet so that the stacksII will roll along the trackway l7 and away from the delivery station I4and down to the position of the stack II on the right-hand side in FIG.I. The stack on the right-hand side in FIG. I is thus the first one ontothe pallet I6 and it rolls against an uprightly disposed stop 22 whichis shown to be in the form of a roller having an upright axle 23 so thatthe roller can rotate about the axle 23 when the stacks and pallet I6are shifted laterally of the direction of the trackways 17.

It will therefore be understood that three stacks II will roll. underthe force of gravity. from the delivery station I4 and onto the palletI6 and to the position shown in FIG. I. When the one row of three stacksis on the pallet l6. the pallet I6 with the one row of stacks is allowedto shift to align another tracluvay 17 with the delivery station I4, andthen three more stacks roll onto the pallet 16. The operation continuesuntil a third row of stacks II is formed. and thus the pallet 16 issupporting nine stacks. as shown. It will also be seen that the pallet16 has the two recesses 24 which can accommodate the fork of a lifttruck which can pick up the pallet I6 with the nine stacks and transportthe load to any desired position. FIG. 2 also shows that the pallet andnine stacks can themselves be positioned in two tiers. and the dottedpositions of the stacks II in FIG. 2 show the upper tier of nine stackssupported on the lower tier shown in full lines. and such can be astorage condition for the stacks.

FIG. 3 shows the pallet l6 and its three trackways l7. and it also showsthe raised portions 26 which define the areas for receiving the lifttruck fork. as mentioned. Further. FIG. 3 shows that the trackways 17have spaced-apart wells or openings 27 which are of a size sufficient toreceive the stack wheels 13 so that. when the pallet I6 is raised. thewheels I3 will be received in the wells or openings 27 and thus thestacks are in a secure position. as shown in FIG. 2. However. in orderto permit the stacks to roll into the position in the respective rows.as described. the openings or wells 27 are filled in or covered over bythe apparatus described later. so the stacks can roll under the force ofgravity and beyond the openings 27 to the respective positions of eachof the three stacks l] in each row thereof.

FIG. 4 shows the pallet I6 and one stack II disposed on the first orleft-hand pallet trackway 17. as viewed in FIG. 4. It will therefore beunderstood that the stack II rolled onto the pallet I6 and along thetrackway I7 until the stack 11 abuts the upright members 22 which extendsufficiently high to engage the base or board 28 on the lower portion ofthe stack II. and that stops the stack II from further movement alongthe track I7. FIG. 4 also shows that the pallet 16 has a lower support.and this is shown to be a series of rollers 29. which are rotatablymounted and which provide the upright sup port for the pallet I6. Thetwo of the rollers 29 which are immediately below or aligned with theloading trackway 17 have circular enlargements 3] which are aligned withand which project into the pallet openings 27 to permit the stack wheelsI3 to roll through and beyond the openings 27. and FIG. 6 shows theseenlargements Cal in the side view which is also a partly sectioned viewofthe pallet 16 extending along the axis of the roller 29. Thus therollers 29 are supported on the floor designated 32. and they arerotatable about their longitudinal axes and therefore the pallet I6 canshift in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of thetrackway 17. The rollers 29 are disposed at different elevations suchthat they provide a declining angle with respect to the horizontal andin the direction of shifting ofthe pallet I6 to the left as viewed inFIG. 4, and therefore the roller 29 on the right-hand side in FIG. 4 isat an elevation higher than the roller 29 on the left-hand side of FIG.4 and of course all of the rollers inbetween are on that decliningorientation.

At this time it will then be understood that there is apparatus andmethod whereby the stacks I] are pres ented at the delivery station I4and are provided with the wheels which permit the individual stacks toroll onto the pallet 16 and into the position against the stops orabutments 22 and along the then aligned trackway 17, such as shown inFIG. 4. When three such stacks II are on the left-hand trackway 17 asseen in FIG. 4, and it will be understood that these stacks II wherethusly positioned by rolling downhill or under the force of gravitybecause of the slope or decline of the pallet I6. as described. then thepallet 16 will be shifted to the left. as viewed in FIG. 4, so that thenext or center trackway I7 is aligned with the delivery station 14 andthree more stacks II roll onto the pallet I6. In this lateral shifting.it will also be understood that the pallet supports 29 are on adeclining angle so that the pallet I6 with the three stacks II willautomatically shift to the left to position the center trackway I7. asmentioned. It will also be understood that in this arrangcment thepallet I6 is shown, in FIG. 6. to be positioned against the abutments22. and this positioning presents the roller enlargements 31 in thepallet openings 27 so that there is one smooth and planar surface 33along the trackway 17 for the uninterrupted and gravitational movementof the stacks 11 along the trackways l7, and thus the relationshipbetween the abutment 22 and the supports or enlargements 3] and thepallet 16 with its openings 27 is provided as described.

Therefore the first stack II rolls the full length ofthe trackway l7 andengages the abutment 22., and the sec ond and third stacks II also movealong the trackway 17 to their respective positions to form the firstrow of stacks. as seen in FIG. 4. FIGS. 4 and 5 show that when the firstrow is filled. that is when the second and third stacks are positionedas shown in FIG. 5, then there is detector apparatus which indicatesthat the row is filled and the pallet 16 is then ready to shift to theleft, as viewed in FIG. 4. and the second row of stacks can then bepositioned. FIG. 5 therefore shows a sensor or detector arm 34 which ispivotally supported on a pivot arm 36 pivotal on a pin 37. The arm 34 isin turn pivoted on the arm 36 through a pivot pin 38. and the arm 34 hastwo ends 39 and 4] which are shown in contact with the second and thirdstacks in FIG. 5. In that position in FIG. 5. the detector arm 36engages a switch 42 which is then actuated and sends a signal to asolenoid or the like at 43 which in turn controls an air supply to anair cylinder 44. The cylinder 44 is connected to an arm or latch 46pivoted about a fixed point 47 and having an end 48 which extends upinto the path of the pallet I6 in the FIG. 4 position. When the switch42 is ac tuated as described. the switch. through its electric or othertype of connections 49 signals the solenoid 43 to actuate the aircylinder 44 and rotate the stop 46 about its pivot 47 and thereby movethe stop end 48 downwardly and out of the path of the pallet 16 to allowthe pallet 16 and the first row of stacks 1] to shift to the left. asviewed in FIG. 4. Of course the stop end 48 is in abutment with theupright portion SI of the pallet 16 to hold the pallet 16 againstshifting to the left and under the force of gravity. as described. untilthe stop end 48 is moved downwardly and off the pallet upright portionSI. Once the pallet 16 is released and allowed to move to the left asviewed in FIG. 4, then it will move until the pallet portion 52 comes tothe position of portion 5] of FIG. 4 and this would be against the stopend 48. and thus the center trackway 17 is aligned with the deliverystation I4.

Referring again to the detector sensor portion 34. it will be understoodthat since the portion 34 is pivotal about the pin 38. the passing oftwo stacks 11 relative to the portion 34 will not pivot the arm 36 tothe position of FIG. 5 and will therefore not actuate the switch 42.That is. not until all three stacks II are on the pallet 16 will thedetector arm 34 be pushed by contact with the stacks I I to the positionto trip the switch 42. as described. The switch 42 can be a normallyopen switch. and as soon as the pallet 16 and the first row of stacks IIcommence to shift to the left. as viewed in FIG. 4, the switch willagain close and re-set the cylinder 44 and the stop 46 to have the stopintercept the pallet by abutting the portion 52. as seen and asdescribed. FIGS. 4 and 5 also show that the sensor or detector arm 34 isdisposed with its hook ends 39 and 41 on the level of the stack supportboards or plates 28 which slide over the ends 39 and 4I to position thearm 34 in the position shown in FIG. 5 only when three stacks II arealigned in one row adjacent the detector 34. Of course the switch 42.solenoid 43 and air cylinder 44 are of a conventional or well-knowndesign. and the air cylinder is of a spring return type so that it willreturn itself to the position shown in FIG. 4 when the switch 42 isagain in the open position.

After the stacks are positioned on the pallet 16. such as in the threerows of three in each row as shown and described by way of one example.a lift truck can take the pallet 16 and the nine stacks to adistribution station which is designated 53 in FIG. 9. From the station53. the stacks are distributed to feeders designated 54, and here it isshown that there are seven such feeders and they are in communicationwith pathways or tracks 56. The tracks 56 are in flow communication withthe station 53 and are also as shown in FIG. 10 so that there is aswitching arrangement which permits the stacks II to roll from thedistribution station 53 and to the selected one of the feeder devices 54where the stack is handled as shown in FIG. II.

FIG. 7 shows the fully loaded pallet 16 on a support 57 which is at thedistribution station 53, and in this instance the support is shown to beof a chain type which moves its upper run in the direction of the arrow58 to shift the pallet 16 to the left. as viewed in FIG. 7. However. thepallet I6 is again disposed at the declining angle. of perhaps I /f. andthus the stacks I I individually roll under the force of gravity off thepallet 16 and on to the trackways 56 and then to the feeder devices 54.all of the movement being on the declining angle so that no poweredequipment or handling equipment is required for distribution of theindividual stacks II from the station 53. The distribution station 53again has the detector mechanism of the arm 34 for engaging the stacks11 and thereby determining the shift of the pallet I6 when one row ofstacks 11 is rolled offthe pallet I6 and it is desired to align the nextrow of stacks with the distribution exit station designated 59 in FIG.9. Again the pallet I6 abuts the upright posts or stops 6]. as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. and the height of the abutments at the position alignedwith the exiting row ofstacks ll, namely the abutment posts 62. is lessthan the height of the post 61 so the stack boards 28 will clear theposts 62 and roll u i the distribution trackways 56. Also. the pallet 16can shift to the left. as viewed in FIG. 7. and the detector 34 and itsconnection lines 49 are not in the path of movement of the pallet ]6.Also. the support 57 has the projection 63 which are received in thepallet openings 27, as the projections 31 were received at the loadingstation. and thus the stack rollers 13 can roll over the pallet surfaceand through the opening 17 without falling therein. FIG. 7 also showsthat a sensor. such as the sensor 43. and an air cylinder. such as thecylinder 44. and a stop. such as the stop 46 are provided at thedistribution station 53 and operate as they do at the loading station.for the purpose of controlling the shifting ofthe pallet I6 since thesupport 57 positions the pallet 16 at the slight decline angle for theautomatic shifting of the pallet [6.

It will therefore be understood that a lift truck will pick up theloaded pallet I6 and will position it on a distribution support. such asthe support 57. which has the double declining angle relative to thehorizontal. So that the stacks can roll downhill and off the pallet 16and so that the pallet can roll downhill and shift to the left. as eachrow of stacks is exhausted.

FIG. 10 shows the switching arrangement of the distribution track 56.and here it will be seen that the entry or straight section 64 of thedistribution tracks 56 extends to a straight section 66 and a quartercurved section 67, and the sections 66 and 67 are alternativelypositioned with the base section 64 so that the stacks can roll on therespective aligned sections 66 and 67 to the feeder stations 54. asdesired. Shifting mechanism is employed. and it may be in the form of apowered cylinder 68 which is suitably connected to a base portion 69carrying both track sections 66 and 67 for shifting them relative to thestraight portions 64 and the portions 7]. respectively. leading to thefeeder stations 54. That is. track sections are provided. and suitablepowered shifters or switchers are provided so that the track portionscan be switched for directing the rolling stacks to the desired oneofthe stations 54. and suitable mechanism may be employed for thissupport of the tracks described and for the switching of the tracks asshown and indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 1] shows the stacks ll at the feeder device -1. and here it will beseen that the active stack 11 is tipped to the position. as shown by thearrow thereon. and the feeder device 54 then takes the sheetsindhidually and into the collating equipment. such as that indicated at72. Here again a stop 73 may be employed for holding the stacks 1] inready position and on the declining track section 71 so that the stacks1] will be released and ready for movement into the delivery device 54.

The aforementioned describes the apparatus of the preferred embodimentfor handling the stacks. and the method of handling the stacks is alsodescribed in the foregoing and in the realization that the sheets arecol lected into stacks and are made mobile by applying wheels theretoand are directed onto a pallet which is disposed at a declining angle sothat the stacks can roll down on the pallet. and the pallet itself issupported at a declining angle so that it can shift laterally of therows or trackways on the pallet. and the loaded pallet is then picked upand positioned to the distribution station 53 from whence the stacks areagain rolled. by gravity. off

the pallet and onto guides or trackways which have the stacks rolling onthe decline and to the delivery devices 54. as described. In the m-thodand the apparatus. the same arrangement c be made at both the loadingpoint for the stacks H and the unloading point or station. though aslightly different support arrangement is shown between the two andrelative to the pallet 16 but it will be understood that the samearrangement could be employed since the invention is to have the stacksroll under the force of gravity and at the slight declining angle and tohave the pallet shift on the declining angle. as described. Other thanas described herein. the feeding device and method are similar to thatshown in US. Pat. No. 3.739.924.

Also. when the operator with the lift truck deposits the pallet and itsnine stacks at the distribution station 53. he can actuate a switchwhich is not shown but which could be a conventional overhead type ofelectric switch. and the electric switch could be conventionallyelectrically connected with the switching means. such as the shiftingmeans or pneumatic cylinder 68. all for distribution of the respectivestacks 1] to however many respective stations there are so that thestacks ll are evenly distributed. or distributed as needed. relative tothe delivery devices 54. Also in description of the invention. includingthe method. there could be a visual signal. such as a light. which wouldindicate to the truck operator when more stacks are needed at thedistribution station 53.

Therefore. the stacks 11 on the pallet 16, at both the loading stationand at the distributing station. roll downhill from the entry end of thetrackway to the exit end thereof and at the 1 2 decline. and also thepallet 16 is supported laterally at a one and one-half degree declineangle for the lateral shifting of the pallet at both stations. With thel ff decline. the stacks can roll onto the platform and abut the stops.such as the stop 22. without tipping over since the rolling under theforce of gra\it at that angle will not create momentum which would causethe stacks to tip over. Likewise. the lateral shifting of the palletitself, being at the l/2 angle. will not cause the stacks to tip over inthat lateral movement. Further. as shown in the drawings. the wells oropenings 27 in the pallet trackways 17 are spaced relative to the edgeof the pallet 16 adjacent the abutments 22 and 62. as seen in FIGS. 6and 8. respectively. so that the stack wheels and the projections 3| and63. respectively. align with the openings 27. for the pur posementioned. Additionally. the openings 27 are arranged so that the threestacks 1] in one row will abut each other. as shown in FIG. 6 and HG. 8.and the second and third stacks will also have their wheels aligned withthe pallet openings 27 and with the support projections 31 and 63.respectively. all as shown. With this arrangement. the stack boards 28can be and are shown to be of a size which will properly align thestacks in their rows so that the first stack is against the uprightstop. as mentioned. and the other stacks are in abutment with the firststack and are also aligned with their openings in the pallet. asmentioned. Also. the side edges of the stack boards 28 are thenavailable for engagement with the switch actuating sensor 34. It willfurther be understood that the mounting of the sensor or detectormechanism. such as the arms 34 and 36 and their attending parts. are allsuitably supported in a position above the pallet 16 to permit thepallet 16 to be laterally shifted below the location of the detector. asdescribed. So the We declines are adequate to cause the stacks to rollto form their rows and adequate for causing the lateral shifting of thepallet with the stacks. both actions being free of generating momentumwhich would cause any tipping of the stacks. but yet permitting bothmovements to be under the force of gravity.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for handling stacks of sheets. comprising the steps ofmobilizing said stacks by attaching wheels thereto. rolling said stacksonto a pallet. disposing said pallet at a declining angle to have saidstacks roll downwardly on said pallet and form a row of said stacks.shifting said pallet with said row of said stacks laterally of said row.moving additional ones of said stacks onto said pallet in an additionalrow of said stacks. moving said pallet with said stacks thereon to adistribution station. and moving said stacks off said pallet.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1. including the steps of disposingsaid pallet at a second declining angle relative to the shifting of saidpallet for effecting the shifting. and releasably holding said palletagainst shifting until said rows are formed.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2. including the steps of disposingsaid pallet at a declining angle relative to the movement of said stacksoff said pallet. for rolling movement of said stacks off said pallet.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of mechanicallysensing the filling of said rows of said stacks. and shifting saidpallet with said stacks in response to the sensing.

1. A method for handling stacks of sheets, comprising the steps of mobilizing said stacks by attaching wheels thereto, rolling said stacks onto a pallet, disposing said pallet at a declining angle to have said stacks roll downwardly on said pallet and form a row of said stacks, shifting said pallet with said row of said stacks laterally of said row, moving additional ones of said stacks onto said pallet in an additional row of said stacks, moving said pallet with said stacks thereon to a distribution station, and moving said stacks off said pallet.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of disposing said pallet at a second declining angle relative to the shifting of said pallet for effecting the shifting, and releasably holding said pallet against shifting until said rows are formed.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of disposing said pallet at a declining angle relative to the movement of said stacks off said pallet, for rolling movement of said stacks off said pallet.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 2, including the steps of mechanically sensing the filling of said rows of said stacks, and shifting said pallet with said stacks in response to the sensing. 